Why Get Involved?

Active participation in clubs and organizations is highly recommended for all students as a means of developing their leadership skills outside the classroom.

Students are encouraged to get involved in clubs on campus and even form new clubs if the clubs currently in existence are not meeting their interests or needs.

Starting a Club on Campus

Students interested in starting a new organization should consider the following steps prior to applying for a charter with the Student Activities & Leadership Center:  

Step 1: RESEARCH

1. Is there an existing organization that would fill this need? Many organizations are open to new ideas and suggestions for new programs. Would the proposed idea fit into an already existing organization? Check out which clubs & organizations are active now!
2. Is there a group of UD community members who are committed to this idea? How long will interest in this organization last?
3. Will this organization be able to find others who have an interestin it to carry it beyond the present? Are all of the interested students seniors? Will graduation "wipe out" the group?
4. Have the interested students given thought to some organizational goals and objectives? Have ideas been discussed about specific programs and activities? Planning now will help answer the questions necessary to apply for provisional recognition as well as to get the group members to think about in which category the organization will want to be included at the appropriate time.
5. What role will this organization play on campus and/or in the community? The purpose of the group needs to be well-defined, both for the charter application and for the organization's own planning and recruiting.

Step 2: GETTING STARTED

After answering the following questions, students are ready to begin the application process for a charter:

1. Develop a Constitution: Using the Sample Constitution as a guide, develop a Constitution and Bylaws for your Organization. Items that must be included are:
   • • Purpose of the organization
     • Procedure for electing and removing officers
     • Prerequisites for membership
     • Proposed means of financial support of the organization
2. You'll also need...
   • • Three student officers (in order to qualify to be an officer, students must have completed at least one semester at UD)
     • A faculty or staff adviser
     • A minimum of ten interested student members
     • A list of proposed activities for the first semester

Step 3: REGISTER & START YOUR CLUB OR ORG

1. Request Registered Club & Organization status: Follow the steps on the Clubs & Orgs Registration & Renewal webpage. Registered Status is a trial period for new clubs & orgs. After your first semester as a registered club or org, you are allowed to apply for full chartered status. 

2. Receive training (includes Risk Management Training*): All officers of a student club & org are required to receive training each academic year. Advisors must receive training every three years. This training will not only go over state requirements for Risk Management, but also cover helpful information about how you can operate on campus, as well as offer tools and resources to make your club & org a success. Training is offered at the beginning of each semester. *Risk Management Training is required by the state of Texas.

3. Request Chartered status: After your club has been a registered club or organization for one full semester, you may request to become a Chartered Club & Organization. Once your request has been accepted, your application for chartered status will go to the Student Government Senate for review. After the Senate reviews the request, final approval may be granted. Student Activities will notify you in writing once the process has been completed and your charter has been approved.